Monday, February 1

I keep hoping each time mild weather comes around that maybe - just maybe - we are at the end of winter.

My hopes were dashed this past Friday, I took a vacation day from the dayjob to spend in the studio. Although I got lots of things done, I opened my studio door at the end of the day to +25 cm of snow. It definitely looks like winter now. Light fluffy snow everywhere.

Despite the amount that appeared on the ground, the lovely winter wind had gently moved all the snow into a 4 foot drift just outside my studio door. The wind created the drift in a semi-circle that cleared a path from my kitchen backdoor and allowed me to walk in my sneakers to my studio.

Now if that is not a sign from above to make more beads, I don't know would be.

Clients have requested that I create a few more "royalty" inspired sets, goddess bead sets and Opposites Attract color studies.

"La Bela Rosin, was the mistress and later wife of Victor Emmanuel II, King of Italy.

She was made Countess of Mirafiori and Fontanafredda, but never Queen of Italy.Their affair caused a great scandal in 1849 when Victor Emanuel was crowned King of Sardinia,however, when his Queen died in 1855, the King named Rosa Countess of Mirafiori andFontanafredda by royal decree in 1858."

With an inspiration from this Italian love, this set of beads was created on base of Vetrofond Light Ivory. CiM's Bordello and Leaky Pen were dotted and twisted.The reaction to the ivory glass created the deep jewel hues of red and green.The set was completed with accents of Double Helix Aurae to bring outthe royal bling in this Italian inspired set.

NiamhThis set is now soldGoddess Jewel Series #7

"Irish/Gaelic myth name of the daughter of a sea god, meaning beauty, brightness".

Decorating these 8 Effetre Sage Green based beads are encased storm portals of silver infused Precision 104 glass, Giovanni Garzoni and Double Helix's Triton. Sealed with raised dots of gleaming Triton finish off this set fit for the goddess, Niamh. Sage Green spacers (9) are included in this set.

MohiniThis set is NOW SOLDGoddess Jewel Series #8

"Hindi myth name borne by Vishnu when in the form of a woman, meaning to bewitch".

Sand & CoralThis set is now soldOpposites Attract Series #9Materials: Effetre GlassesAn example of opposites attract in this set of 16 simple dotted beads.Eight beads in Coral opaque with Sandstone dots and the other eight with the opposing combination.Bonus: 4 Coral & 2 Sandstone spacers are included in this beach inspired set.

A couple new focal beads to be listed on Artfire later this week.

These were created with the test batch from Double Helix.It is simply known as TE 315.Double Helix describes it as: Ekho prototype, reduces and strikes.I am certainly getting different result with this glass based on whether it is on a coloured or clear glass base, time worked and amount of reduction used.The "mother of pearl" luster is beautiful!